[Travel] Your favourite country in the world and why

Westdene Seagull · Apr 9, 2020

LamieRobertson said:
Isle of Wight

I know it was a tongue in cheek comment but the Isle of Wight is a wonderful place. Have friends who set up a B&B there about two years ago so went over last Easter. Easy to get around and great food - had my best EVER ploughmans at the Wight Mouse. It is like going back 20 years though. Sadly it looks like our friends might go bust though thanks to the virus !

As for countries - got to be France ( plan to retire to the Loire Valley ) or Australia - close call really.

Westdene Seagull · Apr 9, 2020

Deanbha said:
Cyprus for me but the summers are far too hot. Not a country but I absolutely love Menorca.

Superphil said:
Cyprus for me, Both the Republic and the TRNC. Such a shame they can’t come to a diplomatic arrangement as I think both sides are fantastic. Caveat, I lived there for six years as a kid, and I generally go on holiday there once or twice a year now.

I know there are issues, especially with large numbers of Russian and Chinese immigrants apparently moving there as an easy stepping stone to EU residency, but putting that aside I love the people, again, on both sides. The climate is fantastic , pretty much all year round, the cuisine is exceptional and the scenery is spectacular. If you’ve not been, I recommend it, just maybe not in Jan-Feb as it can be a bit gloomy.

In-laws live in Cyprus and I have to say I don't like it at all. Pathos in particular is awful - it's like going back to 1980's Spain ..... just a bit hotter.

Westdene Seagull · Apr 9, 2020

maltaseagull said:
Never been there but having dealt with customers from all over the world, I have to say Canadians were the rudest.

Strange - I work for a Canadian company and have been there twice ( once for work and once for pleasure ) and I can say without a shadow of a doubt they are the nicest, friendliest people on the planet.

Westdene Seagull · Apr 9, 2020

El Presidente said:
The Netherlands for sure.

Can't imagine why !

Herr Tubthumper · Apr 9, 2020

Lyndhurst 14 said:
I worked in Austin for 3 months about 2 years ago. Loved the place. Incredible music scene - it's not called the Live Music Capital of the World for nothing. Great restaurants and bars as well as a very laid back vibe. Those BBQ joints are very addictive. Will definitely be going back

I have Austin on my list. It seems to have all the things I like in life plus the sunshine.

Herr Tubthumper · Apr 9, 2020

Muzzy said:
What are your current music influences?

There are too many differing types of country music to make it a one size fits all category and therefore to give you my tips on what you might like to try would be difficult to get right. There is as much variety as the pop charts here in the UK.

My country playlists vary day to day in much the same way as any other music genres do for most music lovers.

Current favourites I listen to.... if you like Nickleback then your man is Luke Combs. If you prefer more mellow type music then Sam Outlaw is pretty easy listening. For a boy band sound, try Dan + Shay.
If you want to listen to UK based country then listen to both The Shires and Catherine McGrath. Her voice is stunning.

Go back 25+ years then George Strait is a legend, along with Toby Keith and Alan Jackson.

A very talented guy on the country scene is Brad Paisley. He can both sing and play guitar as well as anyone I have ever heard.

Really old country such as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggerd, although talented performers are not my bag however.

Thanks for this. I appreciate my question was quite broad; I’m into all sorts really (music is my primary passion in life and has been for decades), from weird electronic stuff to quite commercial stuff and lots in between . Been dabbling in nu-jazz recently as well. At 50 plus I don’t feel any pressure to be cool or whatever so I just go where my ears take me. I’m going to investigate the 25+ stuff you mentioned and take it from there.

Muzzy · Apr 9, 2020

Herr Tubthumper said:
Thanks for this. I appreciate my question was quite broad; I’m into all sorts really (music is my primary passion in life and has been for decades), from weird electronic stuff to quite commercial stuff and lots in between . Been dabbling in nu-jazz recently as well. At 50 plus I don’t feel any pressure to be cool or whatever so I just go where my ears take me. I’m going to investigate the 25+ stuff you mentioned and take it from there.

You’re very welcome.

I am much the same as you really. 50+ and not bothered any more what others think of my music choices. I spent years keeping my country music passion to myself, as everyone that I mentioned it to just ridiculed my taste, so I kept quiet.

My taste is varied though as I present online radio regularly. My current show highlights featured chart music from years gone by with hardly a country song being played at all. Although sometimes I do cover a 2 hour country slot if I fill in for somebody that isn’t available for their own shows.

I hope you enjoy some of my recommendations and I would be interested to hear of your thoughts whether positive or negative once you have listened to them.

Muzzy

Weststander · Apr 9, 2020

Westdene Seagull said:
Strange - I work for a Canadian company and have been there twice ( once for work and once for pleasure ) and I can say without a shadow of a doubt they are the nicest, friendliest people on the planet.

I found that too, but have you had any dealings with French Canadians away from business connections? In public places eg bars, shopping, in queues, public transport, they often seemed ill mannered, barging in, rude.

Westdene Seagull · Apr 9, 2020

Weststander said:
I found that too, but have you had any dealings with French Canadians away from business connections? In public places eg bars, shopping, in queues, public transport, they often seemed ill mannered, barging in, rude.

Only French Canadians I've had dealings with are via work but not sure how they could be so different in work over out of work. Never an issue.

Herr Tubthumper · Apr 9, 2020

Westdene Seagull said:
Strange - I work for a Canadian company and have been there twice ( once for work and once for pleasure ) and I can say without a shadow of a doubt they are the nicest, friendliest people on the planet.

I worked in Toronto for a couple of weeks many years ago, appreciate it’s not the French bit but everyone was super nice and they really looked after me and gave me tips and even took me out to basketball and stuff. I only worked half days and had loads of time to see the city. I was asked quietly on the side if I would be interested in a job as well. I decided against it due to personal circumstances but I often wonder “what if”; I think I would have loved living in Toronto.

Trufflehound · Apr 9, 2020

Westdene Seagull said:
Strange - I work for a Canadian company and have been there twice ( once for work and once for pleasure ) and I can say without a shadow of a doubt they are the nicest, friendliest people on the planet.

Been to Canada a dozen times (got family there, had business dealings with others) and this is also 100% my experience. Lovely people, and genuinely sincere.

If I am being hoodwinked then they are doing it to me in the nicest possible way, so I don't mind...

That's referring to Alberta, BC, Ontario and Quebec, for the record...

maltaseagull · Apr 9, 2020

Westdene Seagull said:
Strange - I work for a Canadian company and have been there twice ( once for work and once for pleasure ) and I can say without a shadow of a doubt they are the nicest, friendliest people on the planet.

Perhaps they are different when they are customers.

One told me in an email that the Yanks and Brits were f**king brainless and needed the Canadians to rescue us in WW2.

Superphil · Apr 9, 2020

Westdene Seagull said:
In-laws live in Cyprus and I have to say I don't like it at all. Pathos in particular is awful - it's like going back to 1980's Spain ..... just a bit hotter.

I can understand why some dislike Paphos, as well as Aya Napa too, but once you’re away from those areas it’s so very different. Think of how beautiful the Sussex countryside is but you still have places like Crawley and Brighton in it.

shingle · Apr 9, 2020

Robinjakarta said:
Yep. I'd add to that great food, especially fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, wonderful people, flora and fauna and in Cape Town, one of the world's most beautiful cities.

Quite surprised nobody's mentioned Indonesia. Spent a month there last year and was very impressed with Java and Bali, so much more to see as well by all accounts.

Herr Tubthumper · Apr 9, 2020

maltaseagull said:
One told me the Yanks and Brits were f**king brainless and needed the Canadians to rescue us in WW2.

Wouldn’t happen in Germany.

BRIGHT ON Q · Apr 9, 2020

Love Germany, Berlin , cologne , Munich , Hamburg and Koblenz are all great places to visit.
Also love Egypt, fantastic snorkelling in the Red Sea .

Mackenzie · Apr 9, 2020

As a holiday destination the Greek islands, probably Kefalonia. I like the climate, the food, the Greek people, the slow pace of life, the beaches and beauty of the place. I like living in Crickhowell (Wales) though.

Questions · Apr 9, 2020

jessiejames said:
What part of Italy was your mother from?
As already posted in this thread,my mate mum is from Foggia. Stayed many times with their family, staying and living the Italian family way was amazing. 're booking my cancelled week in Sorrento (last week) as soon as this virus is beaten.

That’s weird I have just been talking to a friend who went there last year... My mother was from an absolutely beautiful village called Corciano near Perugia in Umbria... Although I have no reason to go back to the village it’s still worth seeing if you are doing Assisi which is down the road.

maltaseagull · Apr 9, 2020

Herr Tubthumper said:
Wouldn’t happen in Germany.

Well, according to this chap, it already did.

Yes Chef · Apr 9, 2020

For years I would have said France but I think Spain has probably over taken it for me. Specifically Galicia or the north.

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